A membrane electrode assembly for fuel cell that irrespectively of the front or backside of polymeric electrolyte membrane, exhibits high output performance, and that exhibits high junction at an interface between polymeric electrolyte membrane and electrode even under low humidification condition or high temperature condition, or in high current density region, realizing appropriate water management and excellent output characteristics. Further, there is provided a fuel cell including the above assembly. The membrane electrode assembly for fuel cell and fuel cell is one including a polymeric electrolyte membrane containing at least one type of proton conductive polymer; a fuel electrode disposed on one major surface of the polymeric electrolyte membrane; and an oxidizer electrode disposed on the other major surface of the polymeric electrolyte membrane, characterized in that in the use of water contact angle for specifying the hydrophilicity of each surface of the polymeric electrolyte membrane, the difference between the water contact angle on the one major surface of the polymeric electrolyte membrane and that on the other major surface thereof is 30 DEG or less. The provided fuel cell is one having the above assembly.